We can offer free, confidential and impartial support on:
Money worries take up lots of headspace, leaving you with much less mental energy and time to make good decisions about your money. Remembering to look after yourself can also be hard. Talking to someone can help point you in the right direction and provide the strength to tackle problems. Reach out early for whatever help you need if you are struggling in any way. If small problems have already become bigger ones, get support now.
We're working with Dorset Citizen’s Advice to offer advice and support on:
Contact your local Citizens Advice office to find out more about their outreach services.
You can read about the overall government support for the cost of living on GOV.UK
Maximise your income and double check your right to benefits.
Help to Claim is a national helpline run by Citizens Advice. For Universal Credit claims telephone 0800 144 8444.
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income.
If you are entitled to Pension Credit, you may qualify for other support including the Winter Fuel Payment.
If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
This is for people over the state pension age and on a low income. Find out more about Pension Credit.
If you're having problems paying your Council Tax, contact us and we'll do all we can to help.
See our Council Tax pages for further advice about what to do if you have problems paying your Council Tax.
Visit the Citizens Advice Dorset website for free, independent and confidential advice.
Help may be available through a charitable grant and other support, depending on your circumstances and needs. Search for charitable grants.
Help to Save is a savings account. It allows those who are entitled to Working Tax Credit or receiving Universal Credit to get an additional 50p for every £1 they save.
Help to Save is backed by the government so all savings in the scheme are secure. Find out more about the Help to Save scheme.
You could get Carer's Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to or live with the person you care for. Find out more about benefits and financial support you can get if you are caring for someone.
Sign up for a Carer's Card with Carer Support Dorset to get discounts across Dorset including opticians, insurance, holistic treatments and eating out.
Stopping smoking will save a lot of money and is beneficial to your health at any age. Visit Public Health Dorset for advice and information about stopping smoking.
Find foodbanks, community fridges and affordable food
Don’t skip meals to pay bills. Visit the Help and Kindness website for information on local foodbanks, community fridges and affordable food.
Food banks are run by the community for the community. Donated food is distributed to those in need or in an emergency.
Each foodbank has its own system for supporting those in need. Many use a referral system, this is when an organisation helps you with other needs and also gives you a referral number for the foodbank. You will usually be issued a voucher for three days' worth of food. They may also provide other items such as toiletries.
A community shop or pantry will provide cheaper, good quality and nutritious food to people who have limited disposable income. Food may include fresh fruit and veg, store cupboard favourites, bread, dairy products and frozen items.
You sign up to become a member and can then choose a set number of items for an agreed price each week. Community shops also work to reduce food waste by linking with supermarkets and making fresh food accessible for a low cost or free.
A community fridge can be accessed by anyone in the community, and anyone can give to or take food from the fridge. Community fridges:
There are some rules on what you can and cannot put in the fridge for health and safety reasons. Check this when you visit.
Help and Kindness have been working to map warm spaces across Dorset where you can drop in and keep warm.
Help is available to support you and we would encourage you not to wait until it is too late as early intervention can make a lot of difference.
We have Tenancy Sustainment Officers whose role is to work with struggling households to support them. We can:
If you are struggling to meet your mortgage payments there is advice available to help.
Healthy Homes Dorset can offer all Dorset residents free, impartial energy advice over the phone, and eligible residents free loft and wall insulation. Free heating improvements may also be available.
If you are worried you may lose your home, or are struggling to pay your rent or mortgage please contact us, we will do all we can to support and help you.
You can also get cost of living advice and tips from Which? and StepChange on coping with the cost of living.
Renters, homeowners, landlords and letting agents are being urged to act now if they are struggling financially or know someone who needs support.
We are working with Shelter and Citizens Advice to offer help with a range of issues including:
We’re here to assist with anything housing-related that’s not going as planned. So, if this affects you or someone you know, please get in touch.
Our service is free, confidential, and non-judgemental.
Call 01305 221000 or email housinghelp@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Dorset Council offers parents a free reusable nappy starter pack or £30 off reusable nappies (minimum spend £45).
If you apply before 31 March 2024 you could also win one of two reusable nappy sets worth £80 each in our prize draw! So if you know anyone in the Dorset Council area who would be eligible to apply, please let them know.
See further information about the reusable nappy scheme including how to apply.
Find out if your child is eligible for free school meals by completing our checker. If they are, they can also enjoy free holiday clubs and their school or childcare setting will receive extra funding (called the Pupil Premium).
See how to access vouchers to buy basic food items. This is for pregnant women and families on a low income with a child under 4.
See the options available to help childcare costs from age 0 to 15.
HAF programme means we can offer fun activities and tasty meals free of charge to children who are eligible for benefit-related school meals. Find out more including how to apply.
Gaining cycling skills early on is important for a child’s safety and confidence and will enable them to cycle to school and enjoy trips with family and friends. Ask your child’s school about Bikeability training courses.
Age UK provides free and confidential support to older people, their families and carers. This includes information on:
For further information contact:
If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get.
If you do not get a letter but you think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.
If your life or someone else's life is in danger call 999 immediately.
If you are struggling now, or if you are worried about someone else, there are places you can go to get support. You can:
• call Samaritans on 116 123
• call Connection, Dorset's mental health helpline, on 0800 652 0190
• text SHOUT to 85258
Visit the Public Health Dorset website for simple steps to taking care of our wellbeing and links to organisations that can help.
Money worries can make life at home difficult, don’t suffer in silence. See details of the help available to those experiencing domestic abuse.
Visit the Way through website If you’re worried about your use of drugs and alcohol.
Call the Citizens Advice Energy Unit on 01929 775500 or email energy@edpcitizensadvice.org.uk for free and impartial advice on energy.
Visit the Ofgem website for advice and support with high energy bills.
Check your eligibility for energy company grants.
See our quick fixes and longer term ideas to save energy.
Your water provider can offer support if you are struggling to pay your water bills:
Visit the Ofcom website for Information on cheaper tariffs for eligible households.
Healthy Homes Dorset can offer all Dorset residents free, impartial energy advice over the phone, and eligible residents free loft and wall insulation. Free heating improvements may also be available.
Visit Citizens Advice for free, independent and confidential advice if you are worried about your job.
Visit the Citizens Advice Dorset website for free, independent and confidential advice.
Help may be available through a charitable grant and other support, depending on your circumstances and needs.
Check that you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to.
